Title
Land Acquisition for Tree Canopy Preservation Program
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of an approximately 9.481-acre parcel (parcel identification number 227-092-17) located at 3516 Lakeside Drive for a purchase price of $2,175,575, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to grant a conservation easement to the Catawba Lands Conservancy and execute any documents necessary to complete these transactions.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Alyson Craig, Planning, Design & Development
Tim Porter, Planning, Design & Development
Explanation
* The city was approached by the broker representing the owners of 3516 Lakeside Drive to determine interest in an acquisition for the Tree Canopy Preservation Program (TCPP).
* Staff assessed the property using the current TCPP conservation scoring model. The property scored high in comparison to previously TCPP-acquired and targeted properties with significant value related to property location, acres of contiguous tree canopy, overall ecosystem value, forest health, and overall conservation value.
* This property contains high quality mature hardwood and floodplain forest, supports a confluence of two tributary channels numerous, floodplain pools and north/northeast facing slopes. Protection of the site will benefit a diversity of resident and migratory wildlife and help to protect the water quality of the Four Mile Creek watershed.
* The property, located in Council District 7, is in general proximity to numerous development projects that submitted tree save payment-in-lieu fees.
* The city will donate a conservation easement to the Catawba Lands Conservancy to ensure stewardship of the tree canopy and monitoring of the property in perpetuity.
* Staff negotiated the purchase price with the property owners based on appraised value and the list price.
* On July 18, 2023, the Planning Committee reviewed the proposed land acquisition and had no comments.
* This transaction is consistent with the City-Owned Real Estate and Faci...
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